Apparatus and mthod for removing a latex coating concealing indicia

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for removing a latex coating concealing and overlying indicia on a sheet includes an elongated finger and thumb-gripping handle and a forward elbow having a lower end laterally offset from the handle axis. A cavity is provided carrying a compressible resilient member, the outer surface of which extends downwardly below the edge of the lower end of the elbow. The outer surface of the member carries dispersed aluminum oxide grit dispersed in random webs forming a disc to abrasively remove the latex coating with a fine dust residue remaining and larger particles of latex gathered and retained on the outer surface. A ring element is integral with the handle remote from the elbow. The method includes pressing the disc onto a latex coating and moving the handle generally horizontally back and forth to cause the coating to become a fine latex powder and causing residue particles of latex to adhere to the grit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to an apparatus for scratching off latex covers of concealed items from printed cards, sheets, or the like, and in particular to an apparatus carrying a compressible resilient member having dispersed grit for abrasively removing latex films and gathering resulting particles of latex on the member.

[0006] 2. Related Art

[0007] Many products have latex covering indicia, which may be numbers, letters, pictures, etc. For example phone cards have latex film covering the pin number that activates the phone card. Typically people use a coin or key to remove the latex film always leaving dust latex and particle residue behind. Additionally, in the scratching off process people often damage the indicia covered by the latex film making it difficult to read and presenting problems in collecting prizes, for example.

[0008] It is apparent that there is a need for an improved apparatus that scratches away latex dust and particle residue without damaging the indicia and at the same time gathers the particle residue for disposal to maintain the environment clean.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide for an improved apparatus having an elongated horizontal member and including a compressible resilient member for scratching away and gathering the resulting latex particles.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide for a reusable lightweight apparatus for easy handling and storage.

[0011] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide for an apparatus having a ring element for attachment to a key chain or the like.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus having dispersed grit of aluminum oxide abrasive on a pad that picks up latex particle residue thereon without damage to printed indicia.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In one aspect of this invention, an apparatus for removing a latex coating concealing and overlying indicia on a sheet is provided with an elongated finger and thumb gripping handle having opposite end portions and a longitudinal axis therebetween. An elbow element is attached to one of the end portions and such elbow has a lower end laterally offset from the axis and the lower end terminates in an edge and a spaced shoulder therefrom. The lower end also has a wall formed between the edge and the shoulder to form a cavity. The edge extends in a plane at an acute angle to the axis and a compressible resilient member is disposed in the cavity. The outer surface of the member extends downwardly below the edge of the lower end and is generally parallel to the plane. The outer surface of the member carries dispersed grit to abrasively remove a latex coating without damaging underlying indicia on a sheet. A fine dust residue results and larger particles of latex are gathered and retained on the outer surface.

[0014] In other aspects a ring element is attached to another of the end portion of the handle and the ring element extends in a generally vertical plane in alignment with the axis and perpendicular to the plane and the ring element has a passageway therethrough extending laterally of the axis.

[0015] Further aspects of this invention are provided in that the grit, including aluminum oxide abrasive, is dispersed in random webs, carrying the aluminum oxide, and is formed into a disc. The disc has a pair of spaced substantially flat surfaces and a circumferential surface extending between the flat surfaces. The disc is also compressible in a diameter direction and in an axial direction.

[0016] Additional aspects are provided by the handle including a generally cylindrical surface and a section with opposed arcuate surfaces adjacent another end portion, the section has an upwardly extending part and an opposed downwardly extending part, each part terminating remote from the elbow element. Each of the parts has a generally elongated flat surface and elongated side edge portions, the side edge portions and the arcuate surfaces forming opposed finger and thumb gripping areas of the handle.

[0017] A method is also disclosed for removing latex coating of concealed indicia which method includes pressing a resilient member having dispersed grit on a lower surface against a latex coating of concealed indicia, the resilient member and grit being positioned at a proximal end of an elongated handle, with the distal end being engageable by a user's finger and thumb; and moving the handle generally horizontally back and forth to cause the latex coating to become a fine latex powder on the indicia without damaging the indicia and causing residue particles of latex to adhere to the dispersed grit. Pressing is provided by gently applying pressure on the resilient member by a user's finger and thumb on the distal end of the handle offset from the resilient member to inhibit excessive pressure in removing the latex coating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for removing a latex coating concealing and overlying indicia on a card or sheet in accord with this invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

[0023]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5—5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The apparatus in accord with this invention is depicted generally by numeral 10 in each of the FIGS. 1-5, and is seen to include an elongated handle 12, having opposite end portions 14 and 16 with a longitudinal axis 18, shown in FIG. 3, between end portions 14 and 16. An elbow element 20 is attached to and/or made integral with handle end portion 16 and extends laterally of and terminates offset from axis 18. A ring element 22 is attached to and/or made integral with handle end portion 14 and generally extends in a vertical plane of axis 18 handle 12 and elbow element 20. Ring element 22 has a passageway 24 therethrough extending laterally of axis 18 so that the apparatus may be conveniently attached to a key ring, chain or the like.

[0025] As best seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 handle 12 is generally cylindrical and has a section 26 with opposed arcuate surfaces 28 and 30 and an upwardly extending part 32 and a downwardly extending part 34 continuing from ring element 22 and terminating remote from elbow element 20. Each part 32 and 34 include generally elongated side edge portions 36 and flat faces 38 extending outwardly of handle 12. One side edge portion 36 on each of the upwardly and downwardly extending parts 32 and 34 together with the arcuate surface 28 therebetween forming a finger or thumb gripping areas of the handle 12 and the other edge portion 36 of each of the parts 32 and 34 together with the arcuate surface 30 forming correspondingly a thumb or finger gripping area of handle 12. Thus a user would normally grip the handle 12 along these handle areas while using the apparatus 10, in a manner hereinafter described.

[0026] The elbow element 20 has one end 40 connected to the handle end portion 16 and enlarges at its other free end portion 42 and terminates with a general elliptical edge 44, best seen in FIG. 5, with a shoulder 46 spaced upwardly therefrom and a wall 48 therebetween to form a cavity 50. Disposed in the cavity 50 is a compressible resilient member 52 in the form of a disk 54, represented by partial broken lines in FIG. 2, that has an outer surface 56 extending below edge 44 and generally in a plane parallel to a plane of the elliptical edge 44 which is at an acute angle 58 with respect to the longitudinal axis 18. Also, in FIG. 5 the handle 12 and elbow 20 may be hollow, as shown by the broken lines 60, to reduce the amount of the plastic material used in molding the handle 12 and elbow 20 and make the apparatus 10 higher.

[0027] The disk or member 52 may be formed of mineral impregnated random webs of synthetic materials with the mineral being an aluminum oxide abrasive. The member 52 may be die cut from a larger panel or wheel made and sold by 3M Company and identified by Scotch-Brite unitized wheel 2S FN-EXL deburring, stated to be used as aggressive, smooth running and for difficult deburring of edge radius jobs and to impart a fine finish to precision tool pieces. The member 52 is compressible in the direction of its diameter and in its axial direction. Member 52 is inserted into the cavity 50 after an appropriate adhesive is placed into the cavity 50 on shoulder 46 and/or wall 48 or placed onto the top section of the member 52 prior to insertion into the cavity 50.

[0028] Returning to FIG. 1, in use the apparatus 10 is gripped by an index or middle finger and a thumb on the sides 26 and 28 and moved gently back and forth against a card or sheet 62 with printed indicia 64 which was previously covered by an opaque latex covering 66. The compressibility of the member 52 and the offset gripping near the remote end portion 14 contribute to the gentle removal of the latex covering 66 without damaging the printed indicia 64. A substantial part of the latex covering 66 is in larger particles, which adhere to member 52 while only minute dust-like particles may remain on the sheet 62. The part adhering to the member 52 can be removed therefrom by a user's fingernail or thumbnail, key, or other implement.

[0029] While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

[0030] What is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 

1. An apparatus for removing a latex coating concealing and overlying indicia on a sheet comprising an elongated finger and thumb gripping handle having opposite end portions with a longitudinal axis therebetween, an elbow element attached to one said end portions and having a lower end laterally offset from said axis, said lower end including an edge and a spaced shoulder therefrom, said lower end having a wall formed between said edge and said shoulder to form a cavity, said edge extending in a plane at an acute angle to said axis, a compressible resilient member disposed in said cavity and having an outer surface extending downwardly of said edge of said lower end and being generally parallel to said plane, said outer surface carrying dispersed grit to abrasively remove a latex coating without damaging underlying indicia on a sheet.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outer surface when used on a latex coating causing a fine latex dust residue while gathering and retaining larger particles of latex on said outer surface.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a ring element attached to another said end portion of said handle.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ring element extends in a generally vertical plane in alignment with said axis and perpendicular to said plane, said ring element having a passageway therethrough extending laterally of said axis.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dispersed grit includes aluminum oxide abrasive.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient member includes random webs carrying dispersed grit and formed into a disc.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said disc includes a pair of spaced substantially flat surfaces and a circumferential surface extending between said flat surfaces.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said disc is compressible in a diameter direction and in an axial direction.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a ring element attached to another said end portion of said handle, said ring element extending in a generally vertical plane in alignment with said axis, said ring element having a passageway therethrough extending laterally of said axis, said outer surface when used on a latex coating causing a fine latex dust residue while gathering and retaining larger particles of latex on said outer surface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said dispersed grit includes aluminum oxide abrasive.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said resilient member includes random webs carrying dispersed aluminum oxide abrasive.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle is generally cylindrical and includes a section with opposed arcuate surfaces adjacent another said end portion, said section having an upwardly extending part and an opposed downwardly extending part, each said part terminating remote from said elbow element, respective said parts having generally elongated flat surfaces and elongated side edge portions, said side edge portions and said arcuate surfaces forming opposed finger and thumb gripping areas of said handle.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a ring element attached to another said end portion of said handle.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said ring element extends in a generally vertical plane in alignment with said axis, said ring element having a passageway therethrough extending laterally of said axis.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said outer surface when used on a latex coating causing a fine latex dust residue while gathering and retaining larger particles of latex on said outer surface.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said dispersed grit includes aluminum oxide abrasive.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said resilient member includes random webs carrying dispersed grit and formed into a disc.
 18. An apparatus for removing latex coating concealing indicia on a sheet, said apparatus comprising an integral elongated handle having opposite ends, one said end being bent downwardly and having a cavity formed therein, and another of said ends having a ring opening for easy access and storage on a key ring or the like; and a compressible resilient pad in said cavity and having an outer surface extending below said cavity and carrying dispersed grit thereon for abrasively removing latex coating and gathering particles of latex residue on said outer surface.
 19. A method for removing latex coating of concealed indicia comprising the steps of: A. pressing a resilient member having dispersed grit on a lower surface against a latex coating of concealed indicia, the resilient member and grit being positioned at a proximal end of an elongated handle, with the distal end being engageable by a user's finger and thumb; and B. moving the handle generally horizontally back and forth to cause the latex coating to become a fine latex powder on the indicia without damaging the indicia and causing residue particles of latex to adhere to the dispersed grit.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein step A includes the step of gently applying pressure on the resilient member by a user's finger and thumb on the distal end of the handle offset from the resilient member to inhibit excessive pressure in removing the latex coating. 